The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, has directed Vice Chancellors, Rectors and Provosts nationwide to dismiss any student found culpable, after due investigation, of involvement in kidnapping or related crimes.
The directive was issued on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, during a meeting with the Pro-Chancellor, Governing Council and Management of the Federal University of Lafia, led by Dr. Mrs Adebimpe Adebajo, in Abuja.
Dr. Alausa said while Nigeria’s universities, polytechnics and colleges of education remain largely safe, recent isolated incidents involving students outside campuses require stronger intelligence and closer work with security agencies.
In a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Attah Ikharo, the Minister said "We have a collective responsibility to protect every Nigerian child, from primary school to tertiary education. While our campuses remain safe, we must continue to strengthen intelligence gathering and work closely with our security agencies to ensure that students are protected both within and outside our institutions,"
He ordered heads of tertiary institutions to strengthen internal intelligence systems and deepen collaboration with the Department of State Services, DSS, and other security agencies in their states.
"If you tolerate bad behaviour for too long, it becomes a culture. Any student found culpable, after due investigation, of planning or participating in the kidnapping of fellow students has no place in our tertiary institutions. Such individuals must be dismissed. Our campuses must never become safe havens for criminal elements," the Minister stated.
Dr. Alausa reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive that no government institution should negotiate with or pay ransom to kidnappers, warning that yielding to criminal demands “only emboldens criminal elements.”
He disclosed that he recently held an extensive meeting with the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, Retd, to develop a coordinated strategy to strengthen the Safe Schools Initiative nationwide.
The Minister commended President Tinubu for providing political will and resources to improve national security and drive reforms in education.
To support security, Dr. Alausa announced that the Federal Government will fund security enhancement projects in tertiary institutions through TETFund’s 2027 intervention programme, including perimeter fencing and other critical facilities. He urged eligible institutions to submit requests early.
He also reaffirmed FG’s commitment to expanding the Energising Education Programme with the Federal Ministry of Power, to provide additional solar generation and battery storage for campuses needing more electricity.
Pro-Chancellor of FULafia, Dr. Mrs Adebimpe Adebajo, lauded the Minister’s support and highlighted challenges including student accommodation, power supply